Did God Give the 613 Commandments or Only 10?

When reading the Bible, particularly the first five books known as the Torah, one may notice a significant number of commandments that are not merely suggestions. Often overlooked, these laws provide insight into the nature of the divine instructions given to the Israelites. In Hebrew, the Ten Commandments are not even called "commandments," but Aseret haDibrot or the 10 Utterances.

While the 10 commandments are sometimes presented as "general principles," the rest of the Torah contains the detailed laws that Israel is required to follow. The 613 commandments are integral to the Torah and were often referred to as part of the Mosaic Law.

613 Commandments in Context

According to Christian biblical numerology, the number 9 in the Bible represents something that is done away with or finished. This is particularly relevant when considering the 613 commandments, where 603 are often said to have been nailed to the cross at Calvary, marked as complete. The number 10, on the other hand, symbolizes judgment or power. Hence, the 10 commandments remain as a testament to these principles.

Commandments for Israel and Universal Laws

God spoke about numerous rules to Moses, which were indeed for the Jews, as they were physically residing in the Promised Land during the times of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Many of these laws had specific purposes and applied only to certain groups within the Israelites, such as priests or Leviites. However, there are seven universal laws, often referred to as the Seven Laws of Noah, which apply to all people in all places at all times.

The Seven Universal Laws

Worship God Alone: Do not engage in idolatry, even to God. Prohibition of Blasphemy: Do not swear false oaths or misrepresent God's words. No Bloodshed: Do not shed innocent blood. Do Not Steal: Stealing, swindling, and cheating are prohibited. Sexual Purity: Do not engage in sexual immorality, including non-coital sex, contraception, adultery, pre-marital sex, prostitution, incest, pedophilia, necrophilia, but not polygamy. Ethical Treatment of Animals: Do not eat from animals with life still in them (likely meaning to treat animals ethically). Establish Justice: Set up courts to punish those who break the above laws.

Dispensation of Mosaic Law

Of the 613 commandments, only 7 apply universally to all people in all places at all times. The majority of the other commandments were specific to the Jewish people living in their designated land during the era of the Tabernacle and Temple. These laws were tied to a specific timeframe and context, making many of them obsolete. Thus, it is important to distinguish between the 10 commandments and the broader Mosaic Law.

Conclusion

While the 10 commandments remain as a cornerstone of religious and moral principles, the 613 commandments are a comprehensive set of rules that guided the Israelites during a specific historical period. Understanding the difference between these commandments can offer a clearer perspective on the nature and purpose of divine instructions in the Bible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the 613 commandments?

The 613 commandments are the detailed rules and laws given by God to the Israelites, as recorded in the Torah. They include a variety of religious and moral commandments.

Q: How are the 613 commandments different from the 10 commandments?

The 10 commandments, also known as the Decalogue, are part of the 613 commandments but are presented as general principles. The 613 commandments include the 10 commandments, along with numerous other laws that were specific to the Jewish people during the time of the Tabernacle and Temple.

Q: Why were 603 commandments said to be nailed to the cross at Calvary?

According to Christian biblical numerology, the number 9 symbolizes something that is done away with or finished. Thus, the 603 commandments representing the Mosaic Law are said to be nailed to the cross, symbolizing their completion and no longer being applicable to Christians.